mind the gap

The bird in Regent’s Park seemed goose-like enough. But too small, and with the dark and light bits in the wrong places. I grabbed my pocket guide. “Unlike much larger Canada Goose, black extends over breast and body is grey (not brown).” Ah yes, the  Barnacle goose. Check.

In London’s Underground, a cheery female voice reminds you as the train arrives at many stations to “Please mind the gap between the train and the platform.” The “gap” in question is the space created between a straight train car and a station platform built on a curve. Or, in some cases, a height differential created by the use of differing train car standards. (Of course the WikiFolks offer a lovingly detailed discussion.) It’s a small gap. I doubt I would have noticed if not for the announcement. But there it is.

And so it was, to sum, a vacation of finding pleasure (and fascination) in the small gaps between home (the US) and a new place (the UK). The shared cultural history and (relatively) common language mean things match up closely, but not exactly. Exploring the differences was a treat.